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{{Short description|American comic book series, 1988–1994}}
{{Infobox comic book title
{{Infobox comic book title
<!--Wikipedia:WikiProject Comics-->
<!--Wikipedia:WikiProject Comics-->

⚫
| title = Dinosaurs for Hire
| image = Dinosaurs-for-hire.jpg
| image = Dinosaurs-for-hire.jpg
| caption = The cover for ''Dinosaurs For Hire''.<br />Art by [[Scott Bieser]], Bryon Carson, and Scott Hanna.
| caption = The cover for ''Dinosaurs For Hire''. Art by Scott Bieser, Bryon Carson, and Scott Hanna.
| schedule = bimonthly
| schedule = bimonthly
| format =
| format =
| publisher = [[Eternity Comics]] / [[Malibu Comics]]<br>(currently owned by [[Marvel Comics]])
| publisher = [[Marvel Comics]]
| date = March 1988–Jan. 1990<br />Feb. 1993–Feb. 1994
| date = March 1988–Jan. 1990<br />Feb. 1993–Feb. 1994
| issues = 9 (1988–1990)<br />12 (1993–1994)
| issues = 9 (1988–1990)<br />12 (1993–1994)
| genre = [[Science fiction comedy]]
| main_char_team =
⚫
| main_char_team = Dinosaurs for Hire
| writers = Tom Mason
| writers = Tom Mason
| artists =
| artists =
Line 18: Line 20:
| creative_team_year =
| creative_team_year =
| creators = Tom Mason
| creators = Tom Mason
|subcat=Malibu Comics
| subcat = Malibu Comics
|sort=Dinosaurs for Hire
| sort = Dinosaurs for Hire
}}
}}
'''''Dinosaurs for Hire''''' is an [[American comic book]] series created by Tom Mason in 1988.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Markstein |first1=Don |website=Don Markstein's Toonopedia |accessdate=2 April 2020 |url=http://www.toonopedia.com/dino4hir.htm |title=Dinosaurs for Hire}}</ref> It was first published by [[Eternity Comics]] and ran nine issues until 1990 when it was cancelled. The title returned to publication in 1993 by [[Malibu Comics]], which had purchased Eternity as an imprint.
'''''Dinosaurs for Hire''''' is an [[American comic book]] series created by Tom Mason in 1988.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Markstein |first1=Don |website=Don Markstein's Toonopedia |accessdate=2 April 2020 |url=http://www.toonopedia.com/dino4hir.htm |title=Dinosaurs for Hire}}</ref> It was first published by [[Eternity Comics]] and ran nine issues until 1990 when it was cancelled. The title returned to publication in 1993 by [[Malibu Comics]], which had purchased Eternity as an imprint.


''Dinosaurs For Hire'', along with ''[[Ex-Mutants]]'', was merged with the [[Protectors (comics)|Protectors]] universe during Malibu's Genesis crossover before being cancelled a second time. When Malibu was purchased by [[Marvel Comics]] in 1993, its unknown if the rights to ''Dinosaurs for Hire'' were included in the sale. <ref>{{Cite web|date=2014-09-24|title=The Return Of Tom Mason's Dinosaurs For Hire?|url=https://bleedingcool.com/comics/the-return-of-tom-masons-dinosaurs-for-hire/|access-date=2021-03-11|website=Bleeding Cool|language=en-US}}</ref>
''Dinosaurs For Hire'', along with ''[[Ex-Mutants]]'', was merged with the [[Protectors (comics)|Protectors]] universe during Malibu's Genesis crossover before being cancelled a second time. Malibu was purchased by [[Marvel Comics]] in 1993, and though no subsequent ''Dinosaurs for Hire'' comics were published,<ref>{{Cite web|date=2014-09-24|title=The Return Of Tom Mason's Dinosaurs For Hire?|url=https://bleedingcool.com/comics/the-return-of-tom-masons-dinosaurs-for-hire/|access-date=2021-03-11|website=Bleeding Cool|language=en-US}}</ref> its reality is designated as Earth-88469 within the [[Multiverse (Marvel Comics)|Marvel Comics multiverse]].<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.marvunapp.com/master/earthteaz.htm#numbered |title=The Appendix to the Handbook of the Marvel Universe |access-date=2022-02-06 |archive-date=2016-09-21 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160921061903/http://www.marvunapp.com/master/earthteaz.htm#numbered |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.cbr.com/jurassic-league-info/ | title=Everything We Know About DC's Upcoming Jurassic League | date=23 March 2022 }}</ref>

''Dinosaurs for Hire'' originated as a black-and-white comic by Mason titled ''Elvis Undercover'', featuring [[Elvis Presley]] as a crime-fighter. The comic was never produced, out of concerns that Presley's estate would sue. Mason eventually divided Presley's fictional personality among three dinosaur characters, resulting in ''Dinosaurs for Hire''.<ref name=Starlog>{{cite magazine |last=Howard Johnson |first=Kim |date=August 1993 |title=Giant Lizards with Big Guns |magazine=Starlog |location=United States |issue=193 |pages=38–41, 72}}</ref><ref name=Scoop>{{cite web |last=Vaughn |first=J.C. |title=Dinosaurs For Hire |url=https://scoop.previewsworld.com/Home/4/1/73/1017?ArticleID=195091 |website=Scoop |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210211232210/https://scoop.previewsworld.com/Home/4/1/73/1017?ArticleID=195091 |archive-date=11 February 2021}}</ref> To represent the dinosaur characters, Mason chose ''[[Tyrannosaurus]]'', ''[[Triceratops]]'', and ''[[Stegosaurus]]'', based on their popularity among the general public.<ref name=Starlog/>


==Synopsis==
==Synopsis==
''Dinosaurs for Hire'' is a satirical comic that is heavy on parody and humor. The primary characters are a [[tyrannosaurus]] named Archie who dresses like the [[The Terminator|Terminator]], a [[triceratops]] named Lorenzo who wears a [[Hawaiian shirt]], a one-eyed [[stegosaurus]] named Reese who wields heavy weapons, and a [[pterodactyl]] named Cyrano. In the comics, the Dinosaurs are actually intelligent aliens who resemble smaller versions of Earth dinosaurs presumably due to a convergent evolution (aside from their extraterrestrial nature, their backstory was only hinted at but never confirmed). After their spacecraft malfunctions in Earth's atmosphere and crashes into the ocean, they are stranded on Earth and become [[mercenary|mercenaries]] for hire.
''Dinosaurs for Hire'' is a satirical comic that is heavy on parody and humor. The primary characters are a [[tyrannosaurus]] named Archie who dresses like the [[Terminator (character)|Terminator]], a [[triceratops]] named Lorenzo who wears a [[Hawaiian shirt]], a one-eyed [[stegosaurus]] named Reese who wields heavy weapons, and a [[pterodactyl]] named Cyrano. In the comics, the Dinosaurs are actually intelligent aliens who resemble smaller versions of Earth dinosaurs presumably due to a [[convergent evolution]] (aside from their extraterrestrial nature, their backstory was only hinted at but never confirmed). After their spacecraft malfunctions in Earth's atmosphere and crashes into the ocean, they are stranded on Earth and become mercenaries for hire.


==In other media==
==In other media==
⚫
===Video game===
{{main|Dinosaurs for Hire (video game)}}
A ''Dinosaurs for Hire'' video game by Sega was released in 1993, for the [[Sega Genesis]]. It is a [[shoot 'em up]] game featuring Archie, Lorenzo and Reese as playable characters, while Cyrano occasionally shows up to give mission briefings.<ref name=HCG/>


⚫
=== Cancelled animated series ===
⚫
===Video games===
An animated television series had been planned for the [[Fox Network]] in the early 1990s, with Mason as a consultant.<ref name=Starlog/><ref name=HCG>{{cite web |last=Sczepaniak |first=John |title=Dinosaurs for Hire |url=http://www.hardcoregaming101.net/dinosaurs-for-hire/ |website=Hardcore Gaming 101 |access-date=7 September 2022 |date=25 June 2014 |archive-date=7 September 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220907172028/http://www.hardcoregaming101.net/dinosaurs-for-hire/ |url-status=live }}</ref> The project was stagnant for two years, until Fox took notice of the upcoming dinosaur film ''[[Jurassic Park (film)|Jurassic Park]]'' (1993). According to Mason, there was suddenly "a tremendous rush to get a dinosaur show on the air". Comic book writer [[Len Wein]] was hired to work on the [[series bible]] and pilot episode script.<ref name=Starlog/>
'''''Dinosaurs for Hire''''' is a [[Shoot 'em up#Run and gun|run and gun]] game published by [[Sega]] and developed by [[Sega Interactive Development Division]]<ref>https://www.mobygames.com/company/sega-interactive-development-division</ref><ref>https://segaretro.org/Sega_Interactive</ref> for the [[Sega Genesis]]. The game features Archie, Lorenzo and Reese as the main playable characters while Cyrano shows up from time to time to give mission briefings but is not playable (although preliminary screen shots showed Cyrano initially being available as a playable character). They must use their skills and expertise to perform risky missions for the people that hired them. The game features similar humor to the comic, such as the initial 'psych-out' opening for the game and the preponderance of [[ninja]]s as enemies. The game plays similar to [[Contra (video game)|Contra]] made by [[Konami]].


Mason was not fond of Fox's planned direction for the series. He said the network wanted a series similar to ''[[Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (1987 TV series)|Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles]]'' with "lots of slapstick hijinks". According to Mason, Fox sought to "dumb down" the ''Dinosaurs for Hire'' concept and make it "kid-friendly for TV".<ref name=Scoop/> The network also wanted the series to reveal the dinosaurs' origins, an idea that Mason disliked, believing it would take away "a certain amount of mystery and charm". He had devised his own origin story years earlier but did not wish to reveal it, stating only that it was much different to what Fox had planned. He said Fox's origin story would not be acknowledged in his comics.<ref name=Starlog/> The show never made it out of development.<ref>{{Cite web|date=2020-10-16|title=How Tom Mason's Dinosaurs for Hire Became a Video Game|url=https://wackoid.com/interview/how-tom-masons-dinosaurs-for-hire-became-a-video-game/|access-date=2020-10-20|website=Wackoid|language=en-US}}</ref>
⚫
=== Cancelled Animated Series ===
In an interview with ''Wackoid'', Tom Mason claimed Fox optioned for a ''Dinosaurs for Hire'' animated series, but the show never made it out of development.<ref>{{Cite web|date=2020-10-16|title=How Tom Mason's Dinosaurs for Hire Became a Video Game|url=https://wackoid.com/interview/how-tom-masons-dinosaurs-for-hire-became-a-video-game/|access-date=2020-10-20|website=Wackoid|language=en-US}}</ref>


==References==
==References==
{{Reflist}}
{{Reflist}}


==External links==

*[http://www.marvunapp.com/Appendix8/revenue1136dino.htm Unofficial Profile of Revenue, at Marvunapp.com]
*{{moby game|id=/tom-masons-dinosaurs-for-hire|name=''Dinosaurs for Hire''}}

{{Ultraverse}}
[[Category:1988 comics debuts]]
[[Category:1988 comics debuts]]
⚫
[[Category:1990 comics endings]]
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[[Category:1993 comics debuts]]
[[Category:1994 comics endings]]
[[Category:Dinosaurs in comic books]]
[[Category:Dinosaurs in comic books]]
[[Category:Eternity Comics titles]]
[[Category:Eternity Comics titles]]
[[Category:Comics adapted into video games]]
[[Category:Comics about extraterrestrial life]]
[[Category:Video games based on comics]]
[[Category:Fictional mercenaries in comics]]
[[Category:1993 video games]]
[[Category:Marvel Comics adapted into video games]]
[[Category:Malibu Interactive games]]
⚫
[[Category:Sega Genesis games]]
[[Category:Sega Genesis-only games]]
⚫
[[Category:Run and gun games]]
[[Category:Dinosaurs in video games]]
[[Category:Video games based on Marvel Comics]]
[[Category:Video games developed in the United States]]


{{Marvel-comics-stub}}
{{runandgun-videogame-stub}}

Latest revision as of 19:01, 27 November 2024

Dinosaurs for Hire
The cover for Dinosaurs For Hire. Art by Scott Bieser, Bryon Carson, and Scott Hanna.
Publication information
PublisherMarvel Comics
Schedulebimonthly
GenreScience fiction comedy
Publication dateMarch 1988–Jan. 1990
Feb. 1993–Feb. 1994
No. of issues9 (1988–1990)
12 (1993–1994)
Main character(s)Dinosaurs for Hire
Creative team
Created byTom Mason
Written byTom Mason

Dinosaurs for Hire is an American comic book series created by Tom Mason in 1988.[1] It was first published by Eternity Comics and ran nine issues until 1990 when it was cancelled. The title returned to publication in 1993 by Malibu Comics, which had purchased Eternity as an imprint.

Dinosaurs For Hire, along with Ex-Mutants, was merged with the Protectors universe during Malibu's Genesis crossover before being cancelled a second time. Malibu was purchased by Marvel Comics in 1993, and though no subsequent Dinosaurs for Hire comics were published,[2] its reality is designated as Earth-88469 within the Marvel Comics multiverse.[3][4]

Dinosaurs for Hire originated as a black-and-white comic by Mason titled Elvis Undercover, featuring Elvis Presley as a crime-fighter. The comic was never produced, out of concerns that Presley's estate would sue. Mason eventually divided Presley's fictional personality among three dinosaur characters, resulting in Dinosaurs for Hire.[5][6] To represent the dinosaur characters, Mason chose Tyrannosaurus, Triceratops, and Stegosaurus, based on their popularity among the general public.[5]

Synopsis

[edit]

Dinosaurs for Hire is a satirical comic that is heavy on parody and humor. The primary characters are a tyrannosaurus named Archie who dresses like the Terminator, a triceratops named Lorenzo who wears a Hawaiian shirt, a one-eyed stegosaurus named Reese who wields heavy weapons, and a pterodactyl named Cyrano. In the comics, the Dinosaurs are actually intelligent aliens who resemble smaller versions of Earth dinosaurs presumably due to a convergent evolution (aside from their extraterrestrial nature, their backstory was only hinted at but never confirmed). After their spacecraft malfunctions in Earth's atmosphere and crashes into the ocean, they are stranded on Earth and become mercenaries for hire.

In other media

[edit]

Video game

[edit]
Main article: Dinosaurs for Hire (video game)

A Dinosaurs for Hire video game by Sega was released in 1993, for the Sega Genesis. It is a shoot 'em up game featuring Archie, Lorenzo and Reese as playable characters, while Cyrano occasionally shows up to give mission briefings.[7]

Cancelled animated series

[edit]

An animated television series had been planned for the Fox Network in the early 1990s, with Mason as a consultant.[5][7] The project was stagnant for two years, until Fox took notice of the upcoming dinosaur film Jurassic Park (1993). According to Mason, there was suddenly "a tremendous rush to get a dinosaur show on the air". Comic book writer Len Wein was hired to work on the series bible and pilot episode script.[5]

Mason was not fond of Fox's planned direction for the series. He said the network wanted a series similar to Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles with "lots of slapstick hijinks". According to Mason, Fox sought to "dumb down" the Dinosaurs for Hire concept and make it "kid-friendly for TV".[6] The network also wanted the series to reveal the dinosaurs' origins, an idea that Mason disliked, believing it would take away "a certain amount of mystery and charm". He had devised his own origin story years earlier but did not wish to reveal it, stating only that it was much different to what Fox had planned. He said Fox's origin story would not be acknowledged in his comics.[5] The show never made it out of development.[8]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ Markstein, Don. "Dinosaurs for Hire". Don Markstein's Toonopedia. Retrieved 2 April 2020.
  2. ^ "The Return Of Tom Mason's Dinosaurs For Hire?". Bleeding Cool. 2014-09-24. Retrieved 2021-03-11.
  3. ^ "The Appendix to the Handbook of the Marvel Universe". Archived from the original on 2016-09-21. Retrieved 2022-02-06.
  4. ^ "Everything We Know About DC's Upcoming Jurassic League". 23 March 2022.
  5. ^ a b c d e Howard Johnson, Kim (August 1993). "Giant Lizards with Big Guns". Starlog. No. 193. United States. pp. 38–41, 72.
  6. ^ a b Vaughn, J.C. "Dinosaurs For Hire". Scoop. Archived from the original on 11 February 2021.
  7. ^ a b Sczepaniak, John (25 June 2014). "Dinosaurs for Hire". Hardcore Gaming 101. Archived from the original on 7 September 2022. Retrieved 7 September 2022.
  8. ^ "How Tom Mason's Dinosaurs for Hire Became a Video Game". Wackoid. 2020-10-16. Retrieved 2020-10-20.
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